Question

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on december 7, 1941, the us naval base at pearl harbor, hawaii, was subject to a surprise attack. in less than two hours, the us pacific fleet was devastated and more than 3,500 americans were killed or wounded. the attack led to the united states entry into world war ii.
though the diplomatic relationship between the united states and japan had been strained, it was not yet broken at the time of the attack.
on december 8, at 12:30 p.m., president franklin d. roosevelt addressed a joint session of congress and, via radio, the nation.
what evidence in the background information gives the speech historical context? choose three correct answers.
the speech was given in 1939, before world war ii began.
the speech was given in response to a japanese attack.
the source is a radio address delivered by us president franklin d. roosevelt.
the relationship between the united states and japan was tense.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The attack on Pearl Harbor was in 1941, and WWII was already ongoing (it began in 1939 in Europe, but the US entered in 1941). The speech was after the attack (Dec 8, 1941), so this option is incorrect.
2. Analyze the second option: The background states the US naval base was attacked by Japan (Dec 7, 1941), and the speech was on Dec 8, so it was in response to the Japanese attack. This is correct.
3. Analyze the third option: The background says Roosevelt addressed Congress and the nation via radio, so this is a correct historical context detail.
4. Analyze the fourth option: The background mentions "the diplomatic relationship between the United States and Japan had been strained", so this shows the tense US - Japan relationship, a historical context.

Answer:

• The speech was given in response to a Japanese attack.
• The source is a radio address delivered by US president Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• The relationship between the United States and Japan was tense.